WNY Entrepreneur

Rob Picone’s entrepreneurial story isn’t one of overnight success—it’s one of grit, humility, and learning the hard way. After being audited twice and nearly losing everything, Rob turned things around to build a multimillion-dollar business with over 30 employees. Now, he’s sharing the lessons most business owners learn too late.

In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Rob opens up about the financial missteps that nearly sank his company, the systems that keep him sane today, and how empathy became his greatest leadership asset.

Whether you’re in a blue-collar trade or scaling a professional service, this conversation is packed with relatable, real-world advice on protecting your business, building a loyal team, and staying grounded while you grow.

You’ll learn:

✅ How Rob went from nearly losing it all to building a multimillion-dollar operation

✅ The CPA mistake that almost cost him his business—and how to choose the right financial partners

✅ Simple systems he uses now to stay compliant and focused

✅ What leading a team of 30+ taught him about loyalty and leadership

✅ Why empathy is his leadership superpower—and how he avoids burnout

✅ How professionalism creates trust, even in blue-collar industries

✅ The mindset shift that took him from hustle mode to long-term strategy

🎧 Listen in and learn from someone who’s been in the trenches—and came out stronger.

What happens when a business opportunity keeps showing up—and you finally say yes? For Travis Matheny, that moment changed everything.

In this episode, Travis shares the real story behind his journey from reluctant entrepreneur to confident business owner and leader. With honesty and clarity, he breaks down the mistakes he made, the turning points that helped him grow, and the systems and mindset shifts that allowed him to scale without burning out.

If you're building a team, making tough calls, or struggling to get out of the weeds in your business—this one's for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Why the third “ask” was the charm—and how saying yes at the right time launched his business

- The biggest leadership mistake Travis made early on (and how he fixed it)

- How to handle it when your people stop growing with you

- The question he now asks himself before every hard conversation

- How simple systems helped him escape reactive mode and think like a CEO

- Why culture always wins—even in a saturated market

- The personal habits and accountability practices that keep him grounded and growing

Travis doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of entrepreneurship—but he also proves that with the right tools and mindset, you can grow a business that’s both sustainable and fulfilling.

🎧 Listen in for honest leadership lessons, growth strategies, and the kind of advice most business owners wish they heard sooner.

In this episode, we talk with Vanessa Palumbo, franchise owner of Dream Vacations, about how she turned a background in caregiving and family management into a thriving, service-first business in one of the most competitive industries out there.

Vanessa shares how she leveraged relationship-building, strategic networking, and repeatable systems—not big marketing budgets—to create consistent growth and long-term client retention. Her story is a case study in how to bet on yourself, build trust at scale, and turn everyday strengths into entrepreneurial assets.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

-Why she trained for her new business while the travel industry was shut down

-How a service-first mindset helped her rise above the noise

-What most people get wrong about travel agents—and how she adds value without adding cost

-How she built a loyal client base through referrals, responsiveness, and trust

-Why local networking (the right way) moved her business forward faster, even when it pushed her outside of her comfort zone

-The backend systems and personal habits she uses to stay focused and grow sustainably

If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a huge marketing machine or perfect timing to grow a business—you’ll want to hear Vanessa’s take. This episode is packed with practical insight, especially for entrepreneurs building their business from the ground up or navigating a crowded space.

Hiring the right people can make or break your business. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Lewis, Co-owner of StaffBuffalo, to go behind the scenes of smart hiring and uncover what business owners need to know about building teams that truly help them grow. Lauren brings her expertise from years of working with companies across Western New York, helping them find top talent and avoid costly mistakes in the hiring process.

Lauren shares real-world insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how business owners can shift their mindset when it comes to recruiting and retaining employees. With a passion for supporting local businesses, she gives practical strategies that any entrepreneur can apply right away.

What Business Owners Will Learn in This Episode:

Why hiring is more than just filling a seat and how to find employees who fit your culture

The most common hiring mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them

How StaffBuffalo helps businesses save time and money with the right talent solutions

What local businesses in WNY are doing to attract and keep top talent

Why investing in your team is the key to scaling your business long term.

Entrepreneurs are wired to hustle, but what if the real growth strategy is slowing down? In this episode, Nicole Chumsky, founder of Be Embodied, LLC and The Mindfulness Alliance, shares how mindfulness practices can shift the way business owners lead, make decisions, and handle stress. Drawing from her work in embodiment and mindfulness-based coaching, Nicole explains why awareness is not a luxury but a competitive advantage in today’s business world.

What Business Owners Will Learn:

Why self awareness is directly linked to better business outcomes

How mindfulness practices can reduce stress and increase clarity in decision making

The hidden costs of ignoring your mental and emotional well-being as an entrepreneur

Practical tools business owners can use daily to stay grounded in the middle of chaos

How embodied leadership creates healthier teams and stronger company culture.

Planning ahead is not just about family care — it is also a principle that can transform how you run your business. In this episode, I talk with Ann Marie Klosko, owner of Eldercare Transition Consulting, about the powerful lessons entrepreneurs can learn from helping families navigate eldercare transitions.

Ann Marie shares real world stories of what happens when families plan ahead — and when they don’t. The parallels for business owners are striking: ignoring tough conversations or avoiding decisions can create chaos, while thoughtful preparation leads to smoother outcomes.

Her insights will challenge you to think differently about leadership, planning, and decision making, both at home and in your business.

What Business Owners Will Learn in This Episode:

How planning for difficult situations in advance reduces stress and conflict

Why avoidance is one of the costliest mistakes leaders make — in family and in business

The role of communication and transparency in making transitions smoother

Lessons from family dynamics that translate into building healthier teams

How facing uncomfortable realities can set your business up for long term success

📞 To connect with Ann Marie directly, you can reach her at 716-440-0933.

What does it really take to launch a professional sports team—and why would someone do it without a blueprint? In this episode, we sit down with Kayla Crosby, the powerhouse founder behind the Jamestown Jackals, a professional basketball team with a mission rooted in character, community, and impact.

Kayla shares how she turned a bold idea into a real franchise, why integrity and faith guided every step, and how she balances business with purpose. Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or chasing a vision others don’t understand yet, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

You’ll hear:

The early struggles and unlikely wins that shaped her journey

How to lead with values while growing something sustainable

Why community connection is key to long-term success

Real advice for entrepreneurs walking into uncharted territory

Listen in and get inspired by what’s possible when you lead with conviction, serve others first, and bet on yourself—just like Kayla Crosby, Founder of the Jamestown Jackals.

How do you take a homemade cracker recipe and turn it into an internationally recognized brand—and win one of the biggest startup competitions in the world while you’re at it? In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Brady, Founder of Top Seedz, to unpack how she went from baking in her kitchen to winning 43North’s $1 million grant, landing major retail deals, and building a fast-growing food brand rooted in health and hustle.

Rebecca shares how she started small, leaned into the unknown, and scaled her company without losing the heart of her mission. Her journey is one every entrepreneur can relate to—and learn from.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to grow a CPG brand with no industry background

Why hiring before you're “ready” is part of real growth

How Rebecca handled rapid demand and national expansion

The mindset behind winning a $1 million startup competition

Why resilience, optimism, and saying yes opened major doors

If you're building something from scratch and wondering if it's possible to scale without giving up your values, this is a must-listen. Get inspired by Rebecca Brady, Founder of Top Seedz—a local entrepreneur making a global impact.

What if one of the most valuable tools for growing your business was totally free—and you weren’t using it? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Rumbold, founder of Rumbold Consulting and certified business mentor with SCORE Buffalo Niagara, to uncover the mentorship program too many entrepreneurs overlook.

Rachel shares how SCORE’s no-cost support is helping startups and small businesses thrive across Western New York. From guiding growth strategies to building better systems, she reveals how local business owners are using mentorship to navigate challenges and grow sustainably.

You’ll also hear how Rachel balances entrepreneurship, motherhood, and coaching softball—all while serving her community through strategic guidance and mentorship.

In this episode, business owners will learn:

What SCORE is and how to get free 1-on-1 business mentoring

How to set healthy boundaries and avoid burnout as an entrepreneur

The power of time blocking and planning with intention

How mentorship and structure can accelerate your business growth

What SCORE looks for in new mentors and how business owners can get involved

How to access free workshops, resources, and ongoing support through SCORE

Whether you're feeling stuck or ready to scale smarter, this conversation will give you tools, clarity, and a reminder that you don’t have to do it alone.

Tune in now to hear from Rachel Rumbold of Score International.

Most business owners want to take care of their team—but end up offering health benefits that are overpriced, underused, or just plain confusing. In this episode, we sit down with Brian, founder of Business Health Market, to talk about the costly health benefit mistakes small businesses are making and how to fix them without blowing up your budget.

Whether you’re a solopreneur thinking about your first hire or a seasoned business owner looking to improve retention, this conversation will open your eyes to what truly matters when offering health coverage to your employees.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why traditional health plans often don’t serve small teams well

How to design benefits that actually retain talent and save you money

What questions to ask before signing your next healthcare agreement

Creative options most owners don’t realize exist

The long-term business impact of choosing the right health partner

If you care about your team and want to stay competitive in today’s hiring market, you can’t afford to miss this one. Tune in now to hear from Brian, Founder of Business Health Market.